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The gunman who barricaded himself in a Midland, Texas, building on Friday after a shooting that killed at least one person had been wanted for attempted capital murder of a police officer, officials said.
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The shooting happened around 8 a.m. local time in the 4600 block of West Wall Street. One person was killed, and 10 others were injured.
The suspect, Victor Mata Villarreal, 45, allegedly started firing at police and bystanders and then barricaded himself inside an abandoned veterinary clinic building, the Texas Department of Public Safety said in a news release.
He was found dead inside the building around 12:30 p.m. local time. No law enforcement officers were injured in the shooting, DPS said.
Nine victims were taken to Midland Memorial Hospital, a spokesperson for the hospital said. Three are undergoing surgeries, and one is in recovery. Two others are stable and remain in the emergency department, and three have been discharged.
Another person was taken to Odessa Medical Center Hospital.
A spokesperson for the city could not confirm if all of the victims had been shot.
In a video posted on Facebook, multiple gunshots could be heard coming from a building.
The suspect had been wanted for attempted capital murder after allegedly firing multiple shots at a Midland police officer during a vehicle pursuit on Wednesday.
Midland Police Chief Greg Snow said Friday’s incident quickly escalated into an active shooter situation and officers “were pinned down behind their patrol vehicles.”
Armored vehicles arrived on scene, and the officers were able to get to safety.
“We then began moving through Highway 80 to see if there’s anybody trapped in their vehicles that we could get out of there. We moved to deny more targets to this active shooter, and then we secured the perimeter and began making a plan to get everybody safe,” he said.
The chief said several officers exchanged gunfire, and it will be investigated. The highway remains closed.
“Our thoughts and prayers are absolutely with the victims, and with their families,” Mayor Lori Blong said at a news conference.
SWAT teams were on the scene and multiple law enforcement agencies responded.
The mayor said officials have no confirmed details on the victims. City officials asked the public to avoid the area.
Minyvonne Burke is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News.
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